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The Big Story: Operation theatres

On February 6, militants opened fire on a police party accompanying prisoners for a medical check up at the outpatient department at Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar. Within moments, two policemen were shot and one of the prisoners, a Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba operative arrested in 2014, had escaped. Later, the two policemen died. Now the Jammu and Kashmir government says an investigation has been launched and the opposition alleges a “security lapse”. The Hizbul Mujahideen, meanwhile, claims it engineered the raid to help the militant escape. Has either side registered the true horror of the incident? A hospital, the last bastion of refuge for the injured and the ailing, was breached.

Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital is a landmark in Srinagar. It is one of the few multi-speciality hospitals in Kashmir, which is desperately short of specialised healthcare, and has arguably the “best trauma centre” in the Valley. Not only does it get patients from all over Srinagar, it is also an important referral hospital for the rest of the Valley. During the protests of 2016, its wards filled up with hundreds of young patients injured by the pellets used by security forces. This is not the first time the hospital has been under siege. A health reporter who was there on the morning of the shootout writes that it reminded him of a day in 2016, when security forces had fired tear gas shells inside the hospital. Throughout the protests, there were also repeated allegations that ambulances were stopped and passengers beaten up by security forces, that patients on their way to receive critical care could not reach in time.

In the long and grinding Kashmir conflict, there are few rules of engagement that are left to be broken. Yet the attack on hospitals and the obstruction of medical care crosses a vital red line. The Geneva Conventions lay down rules for establishing “hospital and safety zones” where the wounded, the sick, the aged and the very young might find refuge from the effects of war. These guidelines have been absorbed into military manuals across the world. Yet the most brutal conflicts in recent times have been marked by attacks on these very places: in Sri Lanka during the last gasp of the civil war in 2009, in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. Unlike these places, Kashmir’s hospitals must not become battle zones.

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Back in 2016, the CRPF said it was “sometimes necessary to check if ambulances are being used by stone pelters”.

Fahad Shah visited a hospital in Anantnag, where the injured were being treated during the protests of 2016.

Punditry

1, In the Indian Express, Happymon Jacob asks whether violence on the Line of Control could escalate into a full-fledged war.

2. In the Hindu, Zorawar Daulet Singh asks whether being a democracy has shaped India’s approach to the Maldives.

3. In the Economic Times, Jean Dreze and Ritika Khera question the estimate of $11 billion in savings from Aadhaar.

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Indeed, the constant communal rhetoric of the past four years should force a re-evaluation of our understanding of the 2014 election result. It is frequently argued that it was a vote for development – a word that in India stands for economic matters. Yet, it is now clear that the BJP’s pitch was based on economics as well as religious identity. It was not a choice between development and Hindutva – it was development andHindutva.

The national emblem of India; an open parachute and crossed lances – this triad of symbols representing the nation, excellence in training and valor respectively are held together by an elite title in the Indian army – The President’s Bodyguard (PBG).

The PBG badge is worn by one of the oldest cavalry units in the India army. In 1773, Governor Warren Hastings, former Governor General of India, handpicked 50 troopers. Before independence, this unit was referred to by many titles including Troops of Horse Guards and Governor General’s Body Guards (GGBG). In 1950, the unit was named The President’s Bodyguard and can be seen embroidered in the curved maroon shoulder titles on their current uniforms.

The President’s Bodyguard’s uniform adorns itself with proud colours and symbols of its 245 year-old-legacy. Dating back to 1980, the ceremonial uniform consists of a bright red long coat with gold girdles and white breeches, a blue and gold ceremonial turban with a distinctive fan and Napoleon Boots with spurs. Each member of the mounted unit carries a special 3-meter-long bamboo cavalry lance, decorated by a red and white pennant. A sheathed cavalry sabre is carried in in the side of the saddle of each trooper.

While common perception is that the PBG mainly have ceremonial duties such as that of being the President’s escort during Republic Day parade, the fact is that the members of the PBG are highly trained. Handpicked by the President’s Secretariat from mainstream armored regiments, the unit assigns a task force regularly for Siachen and UN peace keeping operations. Moreover, the cavalry members are trained combat parachutists – thus decorating the PBG uniform with a scarlet Para Wings badge that signifies that these troopers are a part of the airborne battalion of the India Army.

Since their foundation, the President’s Guard has won many battle honors. In 1811, they won their first battle honor ‘Java’. In 1824, they sailed over Kalla Pani for the first Burmese War and earned the second battle honour ‘Ava’. The battle of Maharajapore in 1843 won them their third battle honor. Consequently, the PBG fought in the main battles of the First Sikh War and earned four battle honours. Post-independence, the PBG served the country in the 1962 Indo-China war and the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

The PBG, one of the senior most regiments of the Indian Army, is a unique unit. While the uniform is befitting of its traditional and ceremonial role, the badges that augment those threads, tell the story of its impressive history and victories.

How have they managed to maintain their customs for more than 2 centuries? A National Geographic exclusive captures the PBG’s untold story. The documentary series showcases the discipline that goes into making the ceremonial protectors of the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces.

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The National Geographic exclusive is a landmark in television and is being celebrated by the #untoldstory contest. The contest will give 5 lucky winners an exclusive pass to the pre-screening of the documentary with the Hon’ble President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. You can also nominate someone you think deserves to be a part of the screening. Follow #UntoldStory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to participate.

This article was produced by Scroll marketing team on behalf of National Geographic and not by the Scroll editorial team.